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Investing in Chronic Disease Management to Improve the Healthcare System

Investing in chronic disease management is important to the nation’s well-being and the sustainability of its healthcare systems. Chronic diseases are the leading causes of premature death and disability in the United States. Treating these conditions accounts for most healthcare spending and limits the nation’s economy by negatively impacting workforce health and productivity. The U.S. can improve public health outcomes and lower healthcare costs by focusing on proactive chronic disease management through prevention initiatives.

AHPA Recognizes That Chronic Disease Management is a Determinant of Health

AHPA highlights that chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, COPD and cancer place a large physical, emotional and financial burden on individuals and the healthcare system. Therefore, AHPA advocates for a shift from a “sick care” model to a prevention-focused model that prioritizes well-being and disease prevention.

Government Investment Can Create Sustainable Solutions for Chronic Disease Management Nationwide

Funding can support:

Disease Prevention Programs: Chronic diseases account for 90% of the nation’s healthcare costs, yet prevention programs remain underfunded. Supporting community-driven prevention programs could reduce healthcare spending and improve public health.
Prevention Across The Sectors: AHPA proposes establishing a National Well-Being Council, led by the U.S. Surgeon General, to align chronic disease prevention initiatives across core federal agencies.
Modernizing Reimbursement Models: The current reimbursement system prioritizes treatment over prevention. AHPA supports shifting reimbursement models to incentivize chronic disease prevention and management, encouraging providers to focus on long-term health rather than short-term care.

The five AHPA health systems are already leading the way in addressing chronic disease management within their communities:

AdventHealth is Helping Patients Manage Chronic Conditions and Access Chronic Disease-Focused Care

Chronic Disease Management Programs: AdventHealth offers multiple initiatives to support patients with chronic conditions, including the Community Care Program, Chronic Care Management Program and Primary Care+ services. These programs provide coordinated care, home visits, medication assistance, education and care navigation to help patients manage conditions like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease while preventing hospital readmissions.
Expanding At-Home Care: AdventHealth provides resources to help patients manage their health from home. AdventHealth Sebring offers free at-home monitoring kits—featuring tools like weight scales, blood pressure cuffs and oxygen level monitors—to help rural patients track heart conditions and reduce hospital visits. Meanwhile, the Bridge Program at AdventHealth East Orlando supports uninsured patients transitioning from hospital to home by offering a six-week Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) and Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP) for continued care and education.
Community Investments in Chronic Care: Through the Community Health Impact Council (CHIC), AdventHealth funds projects that expand treatment options for chronic diseases, such as the Apopka Lung Clinic’s expansion to include diabetes and hypertension care.

Loma Linda University Health is Integrating Prevention, Treatment and Research into Treating Chronic Conditions

Community-Based and Preventive Care: LLUH enhances chronic disease management by integrating Community Health Workers (CHWs) into healthcare and education settings, providing personalized support, home visits and peer coaching for high-risk patients. Additionally, the DrPH Program in Preventive Care at LLUH’s School of Public Health focuses on preventing lifestyle-related chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.
Specialized and Pediatric Chronic Care: LLUH Children’s Health coordinates care for children with complex or chronic conditions, connecting them with over 200 pediatric specialists. LLUH also provides specialized treatment and rehabilitation for patients with chronic cardiac, pulmonary and respiratory conditions, including COPD.
Researching Lifestyle-Based Prevention: The Center for Nutrition, Healthy Lifestyle, and Disease Prevention studies dietary and behavioral factors that help prevent chronic diseases, building on research from the Adventist Health Study to promote plant-based diets and lifestyle interventions.

Adventist Health is Empowering Communities Through Screening, Prevention and Wellness

Screenings and Early Detection: Adventist Health St. Helena provides chronic disease and cancer education and screenings through the AHEAD hereditary screening program and the Martin O’Neil Cancer Center.
Diabetes Prevention and Management: Adventist Health White Memorial’s Diabetes Center offers telehealth support for gestational diabetes and a HELP program for diabetes education. The ¡Vive Bien! Senior Wellness Program also provides chronic disease management tailored to seniors.
Heart Health and Wellness: Adventist Health Glendale’s Go Heart Program promotes cardiovascular health through physical activity, nutrition education and initiatives to reduce weight and high blood pressure.

Adventist HealthCare is Providing Home-Based Care for Chronic Conditions

Self-Management and Home-Based Care: Adventist HealthCare provides self-management programs and specialized home health services to help patients and caregivers manage chronic conditions like arthritis, COPD, diabetes and heart disease. Personalized care plans, education and therapies support symptom management, improve quality of life and promote independence.

Kettering Health is Advancing Care for Cancer, Heart Health and Diabetes

Expanding Access to Cancer and Chronic Disease Care: Kettering Health’s Ribbon of Hope event raised over $160,000 for the Women’s Wellness Fund, supporting breast imaging and cancer care for uninsured women in Dayton. This initiative improves early detection and management of potentially chronic conditions like breast cancer.
Comprehensive Heart and Vascular Care: Kettering Health provides specialized heart and vascular care, with clinics focused on heart failure, arrhythmia, vascular surgery and structural heart conditions. In collaboration with Story Health, heart failure patients receive virtual, personalized support, including medication management, home monitoring and clinical care to help prevent hospital readmissions.
Diabetes Management and Education: Kettering Health Medical Group Endocrinology & Diabetes provides personalized treatment plans, education and lifestyle support to help patients manage diabetes and prevent complications.

The Opportunity to Transform Chronic Disease Management

Investing in solutions for chronic disease management is essential to shift from expensive “sick care” to a focus on preventative care. This proactive approach can reduce the growing financial strain on the healthcare system while offering long-term benefits, including significant cost savings and a healthier, more productive workforce. AHPA urges the government and all stakeholders to prioritize policies that prevent chronic diseases. By reshaping health spending, we can significantly improve the nation’s health and well-being.